Cowshed

Best for: Weekend indulgence The experience: Tucked just off busy Carnaby Street Cowshed's Soho outpost is, perhaps surprisingly, just like stepping into a rustic farmhouse café. Have a cup of tea or coffee, pick your polish from the vast selection of Cheeky (Cowshed's little sister) colours and sit back in one of the huge cream recliners. Flick through a magazine or chat to the charming staff while they work their magic. The manicure itself was meticulous and a de-stressing hand and arm massage completes the treatment. Heaven. How long did it take? A manicure takes 45 minutes; pedicures take from 60 minutes How long did it last? Around four days Top tip: Take your time, go with a friend, relax. This isn't a quick fix, it's a spa experience Would you go again? Yes, for a special occasion

By Tabitha Joyce

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The Organic Pharmacy

Best for: A chemical-free mani-pedi The experience: Therapy rooms are beneath the flagship store in central London, where treatments take place in complete privacy. Hands and feet are soaked, scrubbed, massaged and the cuticles tidied (nudged back, not clipped) with organic products, then painted with The Organic Pharmacy's Original Glam polish, which is free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde. My therapist also gave me loads of fantastic tips for my skin, and a sample of rose hip oil for acne scarring. How long did it take? About 90 minutes, plus drying time How long did it last? The manicure lasted five days without chipping, but the pedicure lasted more than two weeks Top tip: To keep my feet feeling soft, I was advised to add a pint of milk to my next bath to gently exfoliate the skin without harsh scrubbing Would you go again? Absolutely

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Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa

Best for: A pre-work fix The experience: Therapist Elvira Vick could lull the most stressed person into a state of deep relaxation with her expert foot massage. After working in sweet-smelling Aveda lotions, she gets to work on your nails, buffing and shaping to leave you with a perfect set of OPI-polished toes. (A dark shade such as Muir Muir On The Wall is always on-trend.) She's also great at giving beauty tips - a dap of rich Aveda Hand Relief sorts out very dry skin and helps prevent hands looking prematurely aged. How long did it take? The pedi was an hour long and the express mani took 30 minutes How long did it last? The manicure lasted a little more than a week, and the pedi was still going strong four weeks later Top tip: It opens at 8am during the week so is handy to pop to before work Would you go again? Absolutely - everything about this large salon is calming: light streams in through floor-to-ceiling windows and reclaimed wood creates a Scandi feel

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Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa

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Knightsbridge Nail & Beauty

Best for: Top results The experience: This is not what you'd expect from a Knightsbridge nail bar: a no-nonsense, low-key spot, unphased by One Hyde Park and the Bulgari opening either side of it. Don't expect small talk or a glossy experience, this is entirely about the end result - beautifully groomed nails in any colour from the Essie, OPI and Harmony ranges. The nail technicians should actually be described as podiatrists, such is the service - just don't expect a juice bar menu to appear or Aesop hand wash in the bathroom. The majority of the clientele has been coming here for years and embraces the central location and understated but friendly way it operates. How long did it take? A manicure takes 30 minutes, pedicures 40 minutes (they can be done together or separately) How long did it last? My mani lasted four weeks; pedi, seven Top tip: Let them guide you on colour; like hair colourists these girls know their stuff Would you go again? I've booked myself back in already

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MYZ Beauty Spa

Best for: Bells and whistles The experience: There is nothing owner Maryam Zandi hasn't thought of and investigated in her quest to make MYZ one of London's leading beauty salons, and she isn't far off achieving her goal. Volcanic rocks are used to exfoliate your feet whilst you choose from the extensive range of Essie and OPI polishes. It is an all-out starry set-up and one which has attracted A-list celebrities, such as Sienna Miller. This is the Electric Diner of nail bars, not somewhere you come for peace and quiet, but for the fun and fanfare of Notting Hill. How long did it take? 30 minutes for hands, 30 minutes for feet How long did it last? Hands lasted two weeks, feet lasted four Top tip: Book in for a Caci facial, the spa's real triumph Would you go again? Yes, if I was in the area

Margaret Dabbs

Best for: A medical pedicure The experience: This is life changing. Margaret Dabbs (who counts the feet of royals, celebs and beauty editors among her professional projects) is a podiatrist first and a pedicurist second, so your feet are looked after from a clinical perspective. Dry cracked heels are left baby-soft and, best of all, nails are buffed and beamed until they shine all on their own. We opted out of the follow-up polish in favour of testing out a no-polish toe for the first time in years. How long did it take? An hour with a toe nail polish, or 45 minutes without How long did it last? The results last for weeks, not days Top tip: Splash out and book in with a Principal Podiatrist Would you go again? Yes, for a special occasion

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Urban Retreat at Harrods

Best for: A good old gossip The Experience: Harrods' in-house nail bar is more relaxed and welcoming than one might expect from the Knightsbridge super-shop. The mezzanine space overlooks a Kerastase blow-dry bar, so a gentle hum ensures the salon's not silent and stiff - as do the skilled staff, who love to chit-chat and express a genuine interest in their customers. They also clearly take their work very seriously: mani-pedis are completed efficiently and the pedicurist gives sensitive feedback on the condition of your toes. Customers are also generously offered multiple cups of tea or coffee. Take your pick from eight different types of manicure and three pedis. How long did it take? One hour for the manicure and pedicure when completed simultaneously, otherwise an hour each How long did it last? The manicure lasted a few days without chips, the pedicure for weeks - until it was removed Top tip: Head for a James Read spray tan directly afterwards: you can comfortably walk the short distance from Harrods to Harvey Nics in Urban Retreat's disposable flip flops Would you go again: Yes, and with my mum or a friend